Quick Bites and Slow Sips: Veteran Restaurateur and Ambitious Newcomer Offer Distinct Food and Beverage Choices.
In the Market at Westchase, a retail center on Westheimer Rd., two generations of Westchase District restaurants have become neighbors, showcasing the area’s unique dining scene. Ramen Jin, a veteran in the area, dishes out swift, satisfying bowls of ramen, while Cafe Tales, the new kid on the block, brews up an experience meant to be savored.
Ramen Jin: A Quick Stop for Authentic Ramen
Since 2013, Ramen Jin has been a staple in Westchase District, offering a quick and authentic ramen experience. Owner Brian Chen brought his restaurant to the area after considering locations closer to downtown Houston. “I was the very first ramen restaurant in Houston, and I just happened to find a location in Westchase that worked well,” Chen said. With his unique take on ramen and a location that offered convenience, Chen was confident that customers would flock to his restaurant.
Chen’s journey into the restaurant industry began during his college years, not as a student surviving on instant ramen, but as a sushi chef, where he gained valuable experience. His dream was to bring something new to Houston, a city already rich with sushi options. “Ramen was popular in big cities like California and New York, but not in Houston when I opened,” Chen explained. “Our timing was right to introduce the concept.”
Ramen Jin is known for its creamy, thick broth, which Chen describes as authentic Japanese ramen. As the first ramen restaurant in Houston, Ramen Jin has faced competition, but Chen’s focus on quality has kept him ahead. “After we opened, two other ramen places popped up on either side of us. Today, they’re gone, but we’re still here,” he noted. Despite the growing number of ramen restaurants in Houston, Ramen Jin continues to stand out for its taste and pricing. “We’ve kept our price point around $10 since we opened, while others are often in the $15-$18 range,” Chen said. This affordable pricing, combined with quick service, makes Ramen Jin an ideal spot for those on a tight budget or a tight lunch schedule. “Most things on our menu can be ready in 3-5 minutes, perfect for employees in Westchase District trying to get good food during a 60-minute lunch break.”
Cafe Tales: Slowing Down with Specialty Coffee
In contrast to the fast-paced service at Ramen Jin, Cafe Tales offers a slower, more immersive coffee experience. Having opened in February of this year, Cafe Tales is the brainchild of husband-and-wife duo Juan Carlos Guzman and Liz Usuga. Located in the same retail center as Ramen Jin, Cafe Tales brings a new face to Westchase District.
Guzman and Usuga, who moved from Colombia to the United States, wanted to create more than just another coffee shop. “Cafe Tales isn’t just about serving coffee; it’s about sharing a passion,” Guzman said. The name is a play on words, with “tales” representing the story of coffee in English, and the Colombian term “cafetales,” where coffee beans are grown.
At Cafe Tales, customers are encouraged to slow down and savor the coffee experience. The brew bar, a unique feature of the shop, allows guests to choose their beans and brew method, with Guzman or Usuga preparing the coffee tableside. “In Colombia, drinking coffee is about slowing down, savoring the flavor, and enjoying the experience. That’s what we want to provide in a busy culture,” Guzman explained.
The couple chose Westchase for its convenient location and have worked hard to build a following, often using creative social media campaigns to market their coffee. “So far, people love it,” Guzman said. “Customers often tell us there’s nothing else like it in Houston.”
Cafe Tales is located at 11195 Westheimer Rd, and Ramen Jin is located at 11181 Westheimer Rd.
The combination of a top Houston-area ramen restaurant and a one-of-a-kind Colombian coffee shop in the same retail center is a perfect microcosm of the diverse culinary landscape in Westchase District. Employees, residents, and visitors regularly comment on the unique variety of dining options that allow them to “eat all around the world.” Whether you crave Senegalese yassa, Argentinian empanadas, Nikkei ceviche, Vietnamese bánh mì, French Coq Au Vin à L’ancienne, Persian kebabs, or South American entraña, Westchase has it all. The District’s restaurants feature award-winning chefs, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” locations, and much more. To explore all the dining options, use our “Find It” map here.
